Handmade Silver Jewelry

Handmade silver jewelry are intriguing in its form and captivating in its beauty. The silver go through a number of processes, like carving, enameling, filigree etc., giving expression to the craftsman's skills. Exquisite and vibrant designs combine to make the most artistic artifacts. The most universal forms of handmade sterling silver jewelry are the necklace, bracelet, ring, pin and earring. These jewelry are decorated by engraving, embossing, etching and filigree, by application of enamel, mosaic, gems, semi-precious stones and glass.

Enameling
Enameling may be described as the art coloring or ornamenting a metal surface by fusing various mineral substances over it. In silver decoration, enameling is perhaps the most alluring and sophisticated. The silver part to be enameled is engraved or blocked out and the enamel dust of the requisite color is poured into the grooves, then placed in a red hot furnace which melts and the colored liquid gets spread equally.

Engraving
Engraving may have been one of the earliest attempts at ornamentation by scratching lines or cutting. Engraving in silver is done with a blunt chisel. Punching creates a decorative effect by arrangement of lines and dots in a definite artistic pattern. In decorative silver work a variety of pictures can be depicted, like landscapes, court scenes, group dances, temples, deities, etc. Other items like trays, glasses, flower vases, pots, tables, chairs etc. too are prepared with this work.

Filigree work
Silver filigree work is a style unique in itself. This work involves pure silver which is put through a wire drawing machine. Two of the thinnest wires are wound around the 'charkha' after heating. It is then flattened again to get it as thin as the single wire originally was. It is then bent to give it different shapes. A filigree article is thus a combination of different parts pieced together. The space within the frame is filled with the main ribs of the design which are usually, stems, leaves, creepers etc.